Brand Nike is the favourite among sports enthusiasts all, but very few knew about the brain working behind. He is none other than sneaker icon Tinker Hatfield, who has been designing shoes for the brand for the last three decades. “Basically I am a architecture but was attracted to sports and had an opportunity to meet Nike’s co founder Bill Bowerman. He actually helped me getting a job with Nike in 1981 and the rest is history,” Hatfield informed. He wanted to try his architectural skills in designing and succeeded. His first contribution came in the form of Air Max 1 shoe in 1987. The new style was an instant hit as it was the first sneaker to visible air bubble sole.
Designer Tinker
Drawing/sketching is an important part of shoe making. According to Hatfield he does lot of interaction with the senior officials like Ceo Mark Parker before making it final. “I always exchange sketches with Mark. If I send him one he will forward me half a dozen. The one day we sit down and talk personally and decided what we would like to do. Most of the communication is via iPhone. I am probably more focused on kind of advanced innovation.”
His most interesting brand for Nike came by the name “Flyknit” introducing new technology to the masses. “It was too ahead of its time for the people who love the brand and for its prototype form. The product was exciting and it was an interesting shoe in total. Before taking a final decision, we at Nike talk to lot of people on the street and carefully take note of their tips. It is the basic policy of the company since it was invented.
Designer Tinker’s collection Flyknit
His “Grimm” Jordan X shoes features ultra premium leather and a herringbone collar, while female version is with a collar lining all in white. “We have designed this particular shoe keeping in mind the needy children who are in the hospital for treatment. This project is in the mind of everybody in the Nike and we usually do such fund rising for the hospital. Our Air Jordan II “Tinker Alternate” is going to be in the market soon and it is worth buying.”
